Type writing machine



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

P. WpSOUTHGATE.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 605,616. Patented June 14,1898.

ammm.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. W. SOUTHGATE. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 605,616. Patented June 14,1898.

0m 66 I WW (No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. W. SOUTHGATEf TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

N0. 60 5,616. Patented June 14, 1898.

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of type-written v UNITED S PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP w. so TneATE, or woRoESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ssIenoR TO THE WYCKOFF, SEAMANS & BENEDICT, on ILION, NEW YORK.

TYPE-WRITING MA CHlNE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 605,616, dated June 14, 1898.

' Application filed September 1,1893. Serial No. 484,604. (No model.)

To ctZl whom it may concern;

Be it known thatI, PHILIP W. SOUTHGATE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the co'untyoflVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Type-VVritingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

The aim of my invention is to provide an attachment which will facilitate the use of type-writin g machines and will aid in the production of larger quantities of a higher grade matter than is ordinarily produced is Y r My invention is not limited to any particular form of type-writing machine; butit is especially adapted to that class of type-writing m'achines'in, which the workis not'in plain sightof the operator.

In using type-writing machines frequent pauses have to bemade in the work inorder that the operator may inspect the copy which he is following or mayhave time toformulate the language he is writing. When again ready to resume writingyit frequently happens that the operator is unable to remember whether his last operation was to print a letter or whether the machine has already been operated to leave a space between the .word last written and the word he is now about to write. If such is the-case, the operator is either obliged to lose time in inspecting his work and determine whether he has already made thenecessary space or if he does not stop to do this he is apt to make mistakes and to produce writing in which the words are unevenly spaced. The object of my invention isto overcome this difficulty; and my invention consists of an indicator adapted to be secured to a type-writing machine and constructed to Show whether the last operation of the machine was to priuta character or to leave a blank space.

My invention also consists of the parts, de-

tails, and combinations, as hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying three sheets of drawings I have illustrated three well-known typewriting machines, and I have shown the form of indicator I prefer to employ with each machine; but I do not wish to be limited to the exact mechanism which I have illustrated, as I believe that I am the first person to provide a type-writing machine with an indicator 'which will show whether the machine was last operated to print a character or to leave a space. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspectiv View of a Remington type-writing machine and shows one form of my indicator applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the keyboard of a Remington typewriting machine and shows the indicator in its position after a character-key has been depressed- Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view and shows the indicator in its position after the space-bar has been depressed. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig-2 with the parts in .the position shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a View of theform of keyboard used inthe- Galigraph type-writing machine, with one of the side frames removed and with one form of my indicator applied thereto. Fig. 6 is a plan view,partiallybroken away,of the parts shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7' is a perspective view of the detent and the universal bar hereinafter described. Fig. Sis a detail view of the indicator-slide. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional View of a Yost type-writing machine, parts being omitted and one form of my indicator being shown as'applied thereto. Figs. 10 and liars detail views of the indicator-Slide.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the same parts of the machine, and B is the sliding carriage thereof, mounted to slide and turn freely upon the guide-rod D, mounted on the top plate of the machine. The cylindrical platen E is mounted in the carriage B in such a manner that it may be shifted toward the front and rear of the machine by means of the shift-rail O, which is controlled by the upper-case key F and by the lower-case key G. A series of type-bars are mounted on a suitable-type-bar ring (not shown)'and are adapted to strike the under side of the cylindrical platen E1 The type-bars are. connected bysuitable drawrods with key-levers, which carry suitable character-keys H, arranged in a keyboard at the front of the machine. A carriage-feeding mechanism is provided, and this feeding mechanism is suitably connected with the character-keys II in such a manner that the carriage is moved one space to the left after each character is printed. In order to provide for feeding the carriage without printing a character, a space-frame I, carrying a spacebar L, extending across the front of the keyboard, is provided. These parts are of wellknown construction and need not be fully described herein.

The indicator which I prefer to employ is constructed as follows:

10 designates a rock-shaft, which may be mounted on center-screws 11, secured in the main frame A. Near each end of the rockshaft 10 are arms 12, which extend toward the front and rear of the machine.

The arms 12, which extend toward the front of the machine, carry a wire frame 13. This frame 13 extends down between the frame of the machine and the spacing-frame I and is provided with bends or offsets 11, which are engaged by the spacing-frame when the same is depressed. The frame 13 is then bent down and carried across the keyboard of the machine, but is located so low down that it will not be engaged by any of the character-keys when depressed.

Pivoted to the arms 12, which extend toward the rear of the machine, are wires 15, which extend down between the characterkey levers and the upper and lower case levers. The lower ends of the wires 15 are connected by a bar 16, which extends under and is adapted to be engaged by each of the character-key levers.

To the top plate of the machine, at its front edge, near its center, I secure a suitable indicator-bracket 17. This bracket, which may be formed of sheet metal, has a suitable slot or opening to expose the indicator-slide,which is moved up and down behind it, and the bracket may be riveted in place, as shown.

The lower end of the bracket 17 is bent back,

as at 20, and is provided with a guide-hole, through which passes a rod 18, which carries at its upper end the indicator-slide 19, and the rod 18 at its lower end is pivoted to an arm 9, which is secured near the middle of the rock-shaft 10.

The operation of the indicatordeseribed is as follows: If the space-bar L and the spaceframe I are depressed, the frame I will engage the offsets ll in the wire frame 13, will turn the rock-shaft 10, and will move the indicatorslidc 19 to its lowest position. The friction of the parts is sufficient to hold the i11- dicator in this position until a character-key is depressed. \Vhen a character-key is pressed down, the key-lever will engage the bar 16 and through the wires 15 will turn the rock-shaft 10 in the opposite direction and willraise the indicator-slide to its highest position. The friction of the parts will hold the indicatorin this position until the space bar is again pressed down. If desired, however, I may use a friction-spring aetin g on the indicatorslide, as shown, for instance, in Fig. 11, for more securely holding the indicator in its adjusted position.

Thus it will be seen that I have devised a Very simple and efficient indicator which may be applied to machines now in use without changing any of their parts.

It is also to be noted that by the use of the rockshaft 10 the parts of my indicator are substantially counterbalanced and very little additional work is put upon the key-levers of the machine.

The upper and lower case key levers are so located that they will not affect my indicator or change the position of the slide.

Referring to Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, the same letters and numerals of reference are used to indicate the same parts. M designates the side frames of the machine, which are extended forward to form a suitable kcyboard,as shown. The character-key levers N are pivoted on a shaft P and are provided with keys R. Also pivoted on the shaft 1 are the space-key levers S, one being located at each side of the machine. Extending under all the key-levc rs is a universal space-bar T, which controls the carriage-feeding mechanism. (Not shown.) In front of the keyboard the frames M are provided with a sheet-metal cover W. These parts are of the usual construction and need not be more fully described herein. The indicator which I prefer to use with this machine I construct as follows:

20 is a rock-shaft which extends under the key-levers and is pivoted in the side frames of the machine. Near each end of the rocksha-ft are secured arms 21. The space-keys S are provided with pins 22, which are adapted to en gage the arms 21. The sheet-metal cover IV is provided near the center of the frame with a slot or opening to expose the indicatorslide 23. The indicator-slide 23 is formed of sheet metal and is secured to the under side of the cover \V by means of screws 21, which pass through suitable guide-slots 250, formed in the slide. lheiudicator-slidc is normally pulled toward the front of the machine by two light wire springs 25, which are secured to the slide and to posts on the underside of the cover IV.

Secured on the rock-shaft 20 is an arm 20', which engages with lugs 27, formed 011 the back of the indicator-slide.

Three light wire spring-arms 28 are secured by screws to the under side of the sheet-metal cover 7. The ends of the spring-arms 28 are connected by a wire 2!), and the central spring-arm 28 carries a detent 30, which is adapted to engage a stop 31, formed on the back of the indicator-slide.

Supported by the spring-arms 28 is a wire frame 32, which extends down between the space-key levers and the character-key levers and is extended under the keyboard, forming a universal bar, which is engaged by each of the character-key levers.

The manner in which the-indicator above described operates is as follows: When a space-key is depressed, its pin 22 engages the arm 21, turns the rock-shaft 20, and through the arm 26 moves the indicator-slide back toward the rear of the machine. The slide is held'in this position by the detent 30 and the stop 31 until a character-key is depressed.-

When a character-key is pressed down, the key-lever engages the universal bar 32, disengages the detent 30 and the stop 31, and allows the springs 25 to draw the indicatorslide into its forward position. The detent I for releasing the slide is operated every time vmovement; D, a sliding carriage mounted to slide and turn freely on theguide-rail E.

The key-levers F are of the first order and are fulcrumed under the base-plate A- and carry keys at their forward ends, which are mounted in akeyboard at the front of the machine and are guided by a frame H. The

key-levers are connected to the type-bars (not shown) by links I, and each of the links I is provided with a lug or projection ql,'which is adapted to engage a circular universal bar K. The universal bar K is con-nected with the carriage-feeding mechanism by means of a rod L, guided in a casting M, secured to the base-plate A, and the rod1L is slotted to receive a lever n, which'ispivoted in the casting M and is connected to the carriagefeeding mechanism (not shownlbythe link P. R" represents the space key, which is also connectedto operate the lever n by means ofthe lever S and the slotted link T. Carried by the casting M is'a fulcrum-ring W, in which are mounted the guide-links of the type-bars. (Not shown.) These parts are well known and need not beherein described in detail. I

The form of indicator which-I prefer to use with this form of machine maybe described as follows: V

Secured to the fulcrum-ring W is a bracket 34,. which carries a pivoted lever 35, which ex tends toward the front of the machine and at its front end is provided with a fork 36, which engages a lug 37, formed on the back of an indicator slide 38. The indicator-slide 38 is curved to conform to the casing B and is secured to the inside of the casing by means of screws 39, which pass through suitable guideslots 40, formed in the slide.

The casing B is provided with a suitable slot or opening to expose the indicator-slide,

and in order that the indicator may be held in its adjusted position I preferably provide a light spring 41, which is adapted to engage a lug 42 on the indicator-slide and is secured to the inside of the casing B.

Engaging the lever 35 upon one side of its fulcrum is a forked piece 430, which is secured to the upper end of the rod L. If preferred, however, the piece 430 may be formed integrally with the rod L. Engaging the lever 35 on the opposite side of its fulcrum is a slotted piece 43, which is secured to the upper end of the link T. If preferred, the part 43 may be formed integrally wit-h the link T.

Whenever a character-key is pressed down,.

the universal bar and the link L will be raised and by means of the lever 35 the indicator-slide will be moved to its lowest position. WVhen the space-key is pressed down, the link T will be raised and the lever 35 will be operated to move the indicator to its highest position.

In the several sheets of drawings I have shown the indicator-slides suitably lettered to indicate whether a letter has just been printed or whether a space has been made.

It is'evident that instead of using a printed word I mayu'se different colors on the indicator-slide to notify the operator what was the last operation of the machine. I I I am aware that many changes may be made inthe construction of the device, and I do not wish to be limited to the mechanism which I have shown and described.

What I do claim, andrdesire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStatcs, is-

1, In a type-writing machine, the combina-.

tion of character-controlling keys, a spacekey, and means operated by or from the spacekey for indicating'whether or not the spacekey should be operated or struck next, substantially as described. I 2. In a type-writing machine, the combination of character-controlling keys, a spacekey, and a signaloperated by or from the space-key for indicating whether or not the space-key should be operated or struck next,

substantially as described. h

- 3. In a type-writing machine, the combinationof character-controlling keys, a spacekey, and a visual signal operated by or from the space-key for showing whether or not the space-key should be operated or struck next, substantially as. described.

I 4'. Ina key-operated type-writing machine,

the combination of a-signal, and means controlled by a space-key for operating said sig- 113.1 for indicating whether or not the spacekey should be operated or struck next, substantially as described.

' 5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of character-controlling keys, a space-key, a plate or frame having an opening therein,

an indicator behind said plate or frame and partially exposed through said opening, and connections between said indicator and-said keys, whereby the character-keys and the space-key respectively move said indicator to expose dilferent or unlike portions thereof to view, substantially as described.

6. Inakey-operated type-writing machine, the combination of a signal, means for giving a step-by-stcp feed movement to the carriage, and connections whereby said signal is operated or controlled to indicate whether or not the space-key should be operated or struck next, substantially as described.

7. In a typewriting machine, the co1nbina tion with a paper-carriage and the printing and feeding devices, and means for indicating to the operator whether or not the papercarriage has been spaced after a character has been printed to provide for a blank space before the beginning of the next word, substantially as described.

8. The combination of an indicator and means for connecting said indicator with the operative parts of a type-writing machine so that the indicator will be moved into one position to show that the machine was last operated to print, and into a dillferent position to show that the machine was last operated to space, substantially as described.

5). The combination of a keyboard having character-keys and a spacekey, an indicator constructed to show whether the space-key or character-key was last operated, and connections for moving the indicator into position to show that the machine was last operated to print when a character-key is operated, and into a different position to show that the machine was last operated to space when the space-key is operated, substantially as described.

10. In a type-writing machine, the combination of character-keys, a space-key, a universal bar actuated by the character-keys, an indicator constructed to show whether the character-key or the space-key was last operated, and connections for moving the indicator into position to show that the machine was last operated to space when the space-key is operated, and into a different position to show that the machine was last operated to print when the universal bar is operated, substantially as described.

11. In a type-writing machine the combination of a rock-shaft, an indicator controlled thereby, means for turning the rock-shaft in one direction when a character is printed and means for turning the rock-shaft in the opposite direction when a blank space is left, substantially as described.

12. In a type-writing machine the combination of a keyboard having character-keys and a space-key, a rock-shaft and universal bar operated by the character-keys and connected to the rock-shaft for turning it in one direction, means controlled by the space-key for turning the rock-shaft in the opposite direction and an indicator connected to the rock-shaft, substantially as described.

13. In a type-writing machine the combination of a keyboard having character-keys and a space-key, a rock-shaft having arms extending in opposite directions, a frame controlled by the character-keys and secured to the arms which extend from the rock-shaft in one direction, a frame controlled by the spacekey and secured to the arms whiclrextend from the rock-shaft in the opposite direction and an indicator connected to the rock-shaft, substantially as described.

14. The combination in atypc-writing machine of a rock-shaft 10 mounted on centerscrews 11 in the side frames of the machine and provided with arms 12, carrying frames which are controlled by the character-keys and the space-key respectively and an arm 9 secured to the rock-shaft and connected to an indicator by a rod 18, substantially as described.

15. The combination of the keyboard having character keys, upper and lower case keys, located one at each side of the keyboard of a spacing-frame carrying a spacebar extending across the front of the keyboard of a rock-shaft located above the keyboard and carrying wires 15 which extend down between the upper andlowercase key levers and the character-key levers and are connected by a bar 16, of a frame 13, also connected to the rock-shaft and having bends or o'lfsets 14 which are adapted to be engaged by the spacing-frame and an indicator connected to the rock-shaft, substantially as described.

16. The combination of a type-writing machine and an indicator constructed to show whether the machine was last operated to print a character or to leave a space, the parts of the indicator being substantially counterbalanced, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

IIIILIP \V. SOUTIIGATE.

\Vitnesses:

LoUIs W. SOUTIIGATE, NELLIE A. DOLAN.

ICC 

